Chapter Text
Lucifer watched Alastor leave. He took a deep breath. He felt a little bad that Alastor was taking care of him despite how rude he had been before the whole incident started.
The alpha was being so gentle with him despite Lucifer being a jerk before. He should apologize for being like that. Maybe when he came back he would apologize.
The omega laid down in his nest and made himself comfortable. He purred softly, happy with the warm scent of Alastor surrounding him. He pulled a blanket over himself and breathed deeply, happily inhaling the alpha’s scent.
Then his mind drifted.
Was Alastor mad at him for being so mean? Was he only pretending to like him to make him feel better? Would he hate Lucifer after he recovered?
Alastor had said he wanted to help out of understanding, not pity, but… what if that was a lie? What if it is pity? What if he wishes he hadn't chosen to help him?
What if?
What if?
What if?
What if?
What if?
What if?
Lucifer squeezed his pillow.
He did like Alastor. For the time being, at least. Alastor was keeping him safe and making sure he recovered nicely. Yet the self-doubt in his mind told him that Alastor didn't like him back.
Alastor probably thought he was annoying… weak… pathetic… and he would be right. Lucifer was all those things. He wasn't strong or powerful or assertive or dominant.
He was nothing.
Lucifer was nothing.
He let out a quiet whimper, hugging his pillow tighter.
He missed his mate. He missed Lilith.
She wasn't the kindest of alphas, but he was hers. He missed belonging to someone. He missed having someone to curl up with at night and feel protected by. He would love to be able to see her again.
He wanted so badly to curl up in his mate’s arms and feel their warm touch…
His mate…
Who… who is his mate again?
His brain is starting to feel fuzzy…
Mate… need… mate… where is his mate?
He blinked slowly. He whimpered softly. His brain felt fuzzy, he couldn't think straight. He didn't remember what he was upset about, he just knew he wanted his mate, whoever they were.
Why can't he remember?
Why wasn't his mate here? He needs them!
He let out a soft whimper.
His mate was probably out getting things for the nest… yes, that must be it! Why else would they have left? This nest was not suitable for cuddling in! It wasn't nearly soft and fluffy enough. He needed more blankets and pillows and plushies. How was he meant to care for his pups in such a small and flat nest?
His mate will be back soon! Of course they will! And then they can cuddle and he can feel safe again!
He let out a few soft chirps in an attempt to get his mate’s attention and tell them he needed them.
He didn't get a response.
His chirps turned into whines.
Why is his mate not responding? He needs his mate!
He breathed in the scent of the coat around his shoulders. This was surely his mate’s scent. Why else would it be surrounding him?
He wanted his mate to come back…
Why won't they come back?
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Alastor hummed as he stirred a pot of soup. Hopefully Lucifer would be able to stomach it. He seemed to be recovering quite fast, so this chicken soup should be fine.
His ear flicked as he heard the sound of soft footsteps enter the kitchen. “Hello Husker.” He greeted without looking up.
“Charlie says Lucifer is awake.” Husk’s gruff voice greeted his ears. “Let me see him.” He demanded.
“Ah, yes, you are close with him, aren't you?” Alastor hummed.
“Let me see him.” Husk growled.
The alpha sighed. “Alright. I suppose there's no harm in letting you see your dear friend.” He shrugged. “You can come with me when I bring him his meal.”
Husk's ear flicked. “You're not poisoning him, are you?”
A low growl escaped Alastor's throat. “Are you questioning my responsibilities as the pack alpha?”
“I'm just trying to make sure Lucifer is safe.” The beta held up his hands.
“As am I!” Alastor said, his head snapping towards the cat. “Any good pack alpha takes care of the pack, including the omegas! And Lucifer is no exception to my duties!” He snarled, clearly not liking his authority being questioned.
“I'm just making sure, jeez!” Husk said, taking a step back.
Alastor took a deep breath. He turned back to his pot of soup. He turned off the stove and put some on a bowl, placing it on a tray with a spoon and some plain salt crackers. “Alright, let's pay our little friend a visit, shall we?”
Husk walked over and stood next to Alastor, touching his tail to Alastor's leg. The two of them shadow travelled to Alastor's room to see Lucifer.
A familiar scent hit Alastor's nose. “What..?” His ears lowered. “Didn't he…”
“That's not normal.” Husk murmured, hurrying over to Lucifer.
Alastor followed quickly behind, setting the food tray down on the table beside the bed. “He just had one!”
Husk placed a hand on Lucifer's forehead, earning a whine from him. He was warm, but not overheating like a normal heat would have him. He waved a hand in front of Lucifer’s face.
The omega’s glassy eyes struggled to follow the movement. Under a normal heat, his eyes would have been slightly better at following him.
“This ain't a normal heat.” Husk said.
“What do you mean?” Alastor asked.
“He's been without a mate for too long. Normally, an omega’s body would eventually shut off the ability to have heats all together if they went too long without a mate to help them through it.” Husk explained.
“But he still has heats regularly.” Alastor’s ear flicked.
“Normally an omega would have one last strong heat in a desperate attempt to find a mate, which is that last one he had where the scent was so strong it filled the entire hallway.” Husk said. “It was supposed to be his last heat until he found someone.”
“So why is he having one now?” The alpha asked impatiently.
“He went through a traumatic event, right?” Husk asked.
“Yes.” Alastor nodded. “I fail to see the connection.”
“Did he go into heat at all during that time?”
Alastor's mind went back to being tied to a chair, his face being held up so he had no choice but to look at Lucifer, being forced into an artificial heat and…
He gave a small nod. “Yes. But… it was not a natural one… it…” He wet his lips nervously. “It was a forced one…” he said, his voice becoming quiet. “But I believe that was it.”
Husk's ears lowered. “Oh.” He murmured. He looked at the omega. Lucifer had a forced heat? Disgusting. He took a deep breath. “Well, his body is coming back down from that trauma. It's not uncommon for some omegas to go into something called a ‘dry heat’, where their body and mind need to feel safe and protected. It usually happens after the event, when they feel safe enough to slip into that state.” He continued his explanation.
“They will continue to recover while their brain is turned to mush, but only if they have someone to make sure they're eating and drinking and not getting hurt.” He finished.
Alastor blinked slowly, processing the information.
“I know it's a lot.” Husk sighed.
“And you know all this… how?” Alastor questioned.
“Angel.” Husk answered automatically. He paused, his expression falling solemn.
“The hotel has been a tad quieter without Angel’s excited presence, hasn't it?” Alastor asked, a touch of sympathy in his tone.
Husk nodded. “Luci’s gonna be upset when he finds out…”
There was a moment of silence.
Lucifer broke the silence by whining again.
“Take care of ‘im, boss.” Husk muttered before getting up and leaving.
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Mate…. Need mate…. Where…?
Lucifer whined, needing someone. He needed his mate to protect him.
A hand touched his face. It was soft, like fur. It was warm. He let out a whimper in response. They smelled familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Was this his mate? They didn't smell like the nest…
He heard the sound of voices, but he didn't really understand what they were saying. He didn't really care either. He just wanted his mate to come hold him.
He let out another needy whine. He hugged his pillow, tears welling up in his eyes. Why wasn't his mate coming to protect him? Was he being a bad mate? Did they not want him anymore?
A gentle hand touched his face.
Warm, gentle, and a wonderful scent. It smelled like the rest of the nest. This was his mate. It had to be. His mate had come back! His mate still loved him!
He let out a small chirp, happy to see his mate again.
He leaned into the touch of the hand on his face, purring softly at the gentle strokes on his cheek.
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Alastor's heart leaped at Lucifer leaning into his touch and liking his attention. “Lucifer, dear, can you hear me?” He asked, his voice more gentle than ever.
The omega whimpered softly in response. He held his arms up and put his hands on Alastor's shoulders. He wanted attention. He wanted to feel safe and protected.
Alastor’s pupils dilated slightly. He pulled his hand away from Lucifer’s cheek. He wanted to ignore the instincts yelling at him to be a good mate and make his omega feel protected by him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't ignore them this time.
He gave in, climbing into Lucifer’s nest with him and allowing the omega to snuggle up to him. A low rumble vibrated through his chest as he pulled Lucifer into his lap. “Hello, sweetheart.” He greeted warmly as Lucifer purred loudly and gazed up at him with glassy eyes.
Lucifer cuddled up to Alastor, soaking up his warmth and breathing his scent. In his heat-muddled brain, Lucifer thought Alastor was his mate. When he came back to reality, he'd know otherwise but for now Alastor was the only thing providing him comfort.
Alastor didn't mind at all. The alpha part of him had never been happier. His sweet omega was clinging to him, begging him for attention and protection. He was more than happy to provide him with that. There was a voice in the back of his head telling him this was a bad idea. That he should let go of Lucifer and leave the room until the heat wore off.
That voice was drowned out by everything else in Alastor's head.
I'm a good mate. I'm such a good mate. My omega loves me. My omega is pleased. He needs me. He wants me. I need to protect him. I need to scent him. I need him to be mine.
He rubbed his fingertips and wrists against Lucifer’s neck, rubbing his scent against Lucifer’s neck scent glands.
Lucifer let out a few whines. Not pained or scared ones, quite the opposite actually. It was pleasure. His neck was quite a sensitive spot, and that being accompanied by his heat made the rubbing on his neck feel far more intense.
Alastor slid his hands down to Lucifer’s waist, dragging his scent glands down the angel’s body. He rested his hands on Lucifer's waist. “Are you hungry, dear?” He asked. “I brought some food for you.”
Lucifer gazed up at him, his expression barely changing.
“Well, you should try to eat anyway.” Alastor said, his fingers gently passing through Lucifer’s golden hair.
Lucifer purred at his hair being pet.
Alastor sat up a bit, keeping Lucifer in his lap, and reached for the bowl of soup he had brought. “Open your mouth, darling.”
Lucifer managed to process the command and parted his lips obediently.
“Good boy.” The praise escaped before Alastor had time to think about it. He fed a spoonful of soup into Lucifer's mouth.
Lucifer was about to respond to the praise when the warm food entered his mouth. He let out a surprised hum. He obediently chewed and swallowed. It tasted good, and his alpha was the one feeding it to him so it must mean it's safe to eat.
Alastor praised him gently for eating, feeding him more of the soup. “Good job, sweetheart.” He stroked Lucifer's hair rewardingly.
Lucifer eagerly continued eating what he was fed in response to the praise. He seemed to love being told he was doing good. Having his hair played with seemed to be much appreciated as well.
Lucifer ate the entire bowl of soup. Alastor set the empty bowl aside and rewarded Lucifer with more hair pets and praise. “Does that feel better? Good job eating it all.” He said in that same gentle tone.
I'm such a good mate. I'm such a good mate. I'm being a good mate. My omega loves me. My omega wants me. I'm a good mate. I'm a good mate.
His brain was fixated on being a good mate for Lucifer. Lucifers heat-driven responses only drove Alastor’s delusions further.
The voice in his the back of his mind that told him this was a bad idea in the first place was only getting quieter.